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Tag: Ekiti State

  • Ekiti East bye-election: Ex-Gov. Oni condemns killings

    Ekiti East bye-election: Ex-Gov. Oni condemns killings

    Ex-governor Segun Oni of Ekiti State has joined others to condemn the violence and killings that characterised the Ekiti East Constituency 1 bye-election in Ekiti held on Saturday.

    Oni, in a message in Ado-Ekiti on Sunday, described the development as very unfortunate and a slap on the nation’s democratic system.

    The former governor said he had suspended all political activities for seven days in solidarity with those who lost their lives in the incident.

    According to him, “the official inauguration of the Ijero Local Government Campaign House, which was already scheduled, is hereby suspended to honour the dead”.

    Oni said the incident was disheartening and wondered why innocent souls could be taken away in a poll conducted for less than 25,000 electorate.

    He called for the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the senseless violence and killing.

    Besides, Oni called on the families of the victims of the electoral violence to embrace peace for normalcy to return to the communities.

    He stressed the need for members of the Peoples Democratic Party to remain calm in the face of provocation, assuring that the party would achieve its desired victory in the bye-election and future elections in the state.

    Three persons were killed and several others injured when violence erupted during the election in Omuo-Ekiti on Saturday.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had also announced the suspension of the bye-election following the bloody attacks.

    Dr Tella Adeniran, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, announced the suspension in Ekiti and also confirmed that three persons were short dead during the exercise.

    Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti had earlier condemned the killing and called on security agencies to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators of the act.

    Recall that the constituency seat became vacant following the death of Mr Adegbuyi Oluwajuwa.

  • FUOYE gets new DVC Administration

    FUOYE gets new DVC Administration

    The Senate of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) has appointed Prof. Jeremiah Omotola as the new Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC) Administration of the university.

    The Deputy Director, Corporate Information Services, FUOYE, Mr Adeyinka Ademuyiwa, made this known in a statement he issued in Oye-Ekiti on Thursday.

    He said that the new deputy vice chancellor administration was the immediate past Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences of the university.

    “The Senate of Federal University Oye Ekiti, has unanimously appointed the immediate past Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences at the University, Prof. Jeremiah Omotola, as the new Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration.

    “He replaces Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina, who was on Jan. 11, 2021 appointed as the 4th substantive Vice Chancellor of the University,” Ademuyiwa said.

    He noted that the senate meeting which was the first in 2021, unanimously voted in support of the nomination of Omotola after Prof. Shittu Olubunmi, who was the second nominee stepped down.

    He said that the newly appointed deputy vice chancellor was a close associate of the new vice chancellor, and would help to further strengthen and promote the development of the university.

    Ademuyiwa assured members of staff and students of the institution that the vacant position of the dean of the faculty of social sciences would be filled soon.

  • INEC fixes date for Ekiti East by-election

    INEC fixes date for Ekiti East by-election

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed March 20 for the conduct of the by-election to fill the vacant seat for the Ekiti East State Constituency 1 of Ekiti State.

    Mr Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner, and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Okoye said that INEC met on Tuesday and deliberated on a number of issues including the conduct of the by-election,

    The vacancy arose as a result of the death of Adegbuyi Amos, member representing the state constituency, and the subsequent declaration of vacancy for the Constituency by the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Funminiyi Afuye.

    Okoye said that the official notification for the election would be published today, Feb. 24.

    He said that political parties shall conduct their primaries between Feb. 26 and March 3, while the last day for submission of list of nominated candidates is at 6pm on March 8.

    The access code for the nomination forms shall be available for collection from Feb. 26 at the commission’s headquarters.

    “The Commission enjoins all political parties intending to field candidates to pay close attention to the Timetable and Schedule of Activities and to conduct transparent and valid party primaries that meet the provisions of Section 87 of the Electoral Act 2010 (As Amended).

    “Political parties must note that under section 31(8) of the Electoral Act, a political party which presents to the Commission the name of a candidate who does not meet the qualifications stipulated in the Constitution and the Electoral Act shall be guilty of an offence and o.n conviction shall be liable to a maximum fine of N500,000.”

    Okoye stated that the detailed timetable and schedule of activities for the by-election had been uploaded on the Commission’s website and social media platforms.

  • Ekiti Govt relaxes curfew, orders schools to reopen Monday

    Ekiti Govt relaxes curfew, orders schools to reopen Monday

    Ekiti State Government on Sunday night announced that the curfew it imposed on the state from 8pm to 6am, including various other restrictions, had been relaxed.

    Consequently, curfew is now to commence at 10 pm and end at 6 am as a result of school activities and other economic factors.

    Mr Akin Omole, the Commissioner for Information and Values Orientation, made this known in a statement in Ado Ekiti, saying Gov. Kayode Fayemi gave approval for the development.

    He said the government had also ordered public and private schools in the state to re-open for the Second term of the 2020/21 session from Monday 18th Jan. 2021.

    Omole added that the restriction of a maximum of 20 persons in confined spaces was also removed to allow half capacity of venues for all events indoors and a social distance of two meter spacing for outdoor activities.

    The Commissioner said restrictions earlier placed on the number of religious services had also been lifted

    He, however, warned that permits must be obtained from the State COVID-19 Taskforce for funerals, weddings, birthdays and other large social gatherings at event centers, including hotels, pavilions, fields before the events can hold, .

    “All activities limited to between one and two hours maximum period are encouraged to minimize infection risk.

    “Government workers on grade Levels 12 and below are still excused from work until further notice,” the statement said.

    He explained that the decision to reopen schools in the state was taken to avoid the negative impacts on child health, education and development.

    Omole added that reopening schools would also enable students to complete their studies and continue to the next level without avoidable additional burdens on family income and the overall economy of the people.

    He stated that random testing of teachers and students would be carried out without delay, and urged school administrators and teachers to use infrared thermometers to monitor the temperature of everybody in their respective schools.

    He emphasised that the government would not hesitate to close down any private or public school with problems.

    Reiterating the commitment of the Fayemi-led administration to the general well-being of people in the State, Omole noted that the government had been proactive in its response to the pandemic and had properly positioned the state to effectively counter the spread of all communicable diseases including the pandemic.

    He stressed the need for all and sundry to abide strictly by all laid-down protocol by the state government to protect them from contracting the Coronavirus and help curtail its spread.

    According to him, it is mandatory for everybody to properly wear a nose mask in the State, adding that it was also very essential to avoid crowds, observe social distance spacing, keep rooms well ventilated, regular hand washing with soap and water or using alcohol based sanitizers.

  • Gov. Fayemi appoints Perm Sec as Judge of Ekiti High Court

    Gov. Fayemi appoints Perm Sec as Judge of Ekiti High Court

    Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, on Sunday appointed Mr Adeniyi Familoni, a Lawyer and current Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Chieftaincy Affairs, as Judge of the High court of Ekiti State.

    The appointment followed the recommendation of the National Judicial Council, which found Familoni suitable for appointment, the government said.

    Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Olayinka Oyebode, made this known in a statement on Sunday, in Ado-Ekiti.

    Oyebode said Familoni began his career as a Legal Officer in the then old Ondo State Ministry of Justice in 1996, and later, Ekiti State Ministry of Justice.

    During his service years in the Ekiti justice ministry, Familoni, at various times held offices such as the Director, Law Review, Director Citizens Rights, Director Civil Litigations and Director Public Prosecutions, he said in the statement.

    He was appointed Permanent Secretary in the Ekiti State Civil Service in April, 2019 and posted to Bureau of Chieftaincy Affairs, it said.

    According to the statement, Fayemi is set to formally swear in Familoni on Tuesday, at the Conference Hall of the Governor’s Office.

  • Ekiti sets aside N1.4bn for Amotekun in 2021 budget

    Ekiti sets aside N1.4bn for Amotekun in 2021 budget

    The Ekiti Government on Sunday said it was not taking anything to chance in 2021 addressing the growing insecurity in the state, particularly kidnapping.

    It therefore voted N1.4 billion for the State Security Network, codenamed Amotekun Corps, in its 2021 budget.

    The Commissioner for Budget, Mr Femi Ajayi made this known at a press conference in Ado Ekiti where he gave the detailed analysis of the N109.666 budget passed by the state legislative and recently assented to by Gov. Kayode Fayemi.

    Recall Fayemi had on Dec. 23, 2020, assented to the budgetary provision, christened “Budget of Recovery and Economic Restoration”, comprising N58. 4 billion for recurrent and N51.6 billion for capital expenditures .

    Ajayi said that the priority to security was in a bid to further attract investment and ensure safety of all investors and residents.

    “Following the incessant security challenges which include kidnapping, herders/farmers clashes, robberies in the country, to ensure the security of lives and properties, Governor Kayode Fayemi inaugurated the Ekiti State Security Trust Fund coined ‘Amotekun’ in collaboration with other South-Western States on 19th October, 2020.

    “A sum of N1.44 billion has been earmarked as capital allocation for Amotekun Corps. For procurement of Drones for surveillance, a sum of N550 million has been earmarked while a total of N320 million will be spent on safety city project and the Ekiti State Security Trust Fund will gulp a sum of N55 million,” the commissioner said.

    He said that government had also earmarked a total of N8 billion to critical areas of social services, to include the education sector, health, gender empowerment, social security and other pivotal sub-sectors critical to the growth of the state’s economy.

    To fund the budget, Ajayi said that a total of N29.6 billion was expected from the federation account, N8.4 billion raised from Internally Generated revenue including taxes and other fees while N4.5 billion would be generated from tertiary institutions, including other sundry sources.

    The Commissioner stated that the budget was tailored towards resetting the economy to rise to COVID-19 challenges and open a new vista in the fight against poverty, engendering of industrial growth and agribusiness.

    He said a sum of N2.4 billion had been budgeted to start off the recently approved Bamidele Olumilua University of Education Science and Technology while a total of N677million was earmarked for the new school of Commercial Agriculture, Isan Ekiti.

    Ajayi said that in consideration for human capital development and equality of all genders, the state proposed to hold a Gender Summit and a N35 million had been budgeted for the project.

    The commissioner also said that N20 million would be spent on construction of a Family Court to attend to family issues,” timeously”.

    On urban renewal development , Ajayi said a sum of N250 million was to be expended on the Master Plan of Ado Ekiti and Satellite Towns while a sum of N4.5 million would be spent on ecological programme called NEWMAP.

    On sports, he said about N116 million was voted for youth and sports development, out of which N30 million has been set aside for the upgrade of the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium.

    Also, N15.2 million would be used for the construction of a multipurpose sports hall in Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, while government also allocated N79.2 million and another N15 million to the Ekiti United Football Club and Ekiti Queens FC respectively.

    He assured that the present administration would leave no stone unturned in ensuring the full implementation of the 2021 Budget.

    “This is in fulfilment of the pact signed with the good people of the State, this can only be feasible when we as good citizens perform our civic responsibilities in ensuring payment of taxes and other levies to improve the revenue accruable to the Government”, he said.

  • Ekiti Govt. warns proprietors against contravening school resumption date

    Ekiti Govt. warns proprietors against contravening school resumption date

    The Ekiti government has warned private school proprietors against contravening the Jan. 18 resumption date for the second term academic activities in the state.

    The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Dr Bimpe Aderiye, gave the warning in a statement issued on Monday in Ado-Ekiti.

    According to Aderiye, the announcement for schools to resume for second term academic activities on Jan. 18 in the state still stands and will be enforced.

    She warned that any contrary arrangement by any private school proprietor for students to resume on Jan. 4, wearing either mufti or uniform, must be cancelled.

    Gov. Kayode Fayemi had, during the New Year broadcast, shifted the school resumption date from Jan. 4 to Jan. 18.

    The Governor had also cancelled crossover services in religious centres, among other measures, owing to the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic.

    He also directed civil servants on grade level 12 and below to work from home until further notice.

  • Ekiti State translates “Amotekun” law, others into Yoruba language

    Ekiti State translates “Amotekun” law, others into Yoruba language

    As part of efforts to make people of Ekiti State to understand state laws, the Ministry of Justice has translated six laws into Yoruba language.

    Prominent among the laws is the Ekiti State Security Network Agency Law, 2019 establishing the Ekiti State Security Network Agency and “Amotekun’’ Corps to assist in maintaining law and order.

    The Ekiti State (Transition) Law, 2019 to establish arrangements for the political transfer of administration from one democratically-elected governor to another, was also translated into Yoruba language.

    Another is the Ekiti State Gender-Based Violence (Prohibition) Law, 2019, which repeals that of 2011 and incorporates the provisions of the Law to Prohibit Female Circumcision or Genital Mutilation in Ekiti State.

    The Law to protect the Rights of Widows, and Violence against Persons (Prohibition) Act was also translated to Yoruba language.

    The Ekiti State Sustainable Development Goals Law, 2019 to mainstream Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the workings of government and to raise awareness on SDGs was also translated.

    Equally translated is the Ekiti State Property Protection (Anti-Land Grabbing) Law, 2019 prohibiting forceful entry, illegal occupation of landed properties, violent and fraudulent conducts in relation to landed properties and other related matters.

    Mr Olalekan Suleiman, Special Assistant to the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice on Public Education and Media Communication, made this known in a statement issued on Monday in Ado Ekiti.

    It stated that copies of the laws could be obtained from the Office of the Director, Law Review at the Ministry of Justice.

  • Police debunk rumour of withdrawal from Ekiti State

    Police debunk rumour of withdrawal from Ekiti State

    Rumours that the Nigeria Police Force have withdrawn from Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State, or anywhere in the state are false, the Commissioner of Police in Ekiti State, Mr Tunde Mobayo, has said.

    Mr Mobayo said in a statement issued in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday that officers and men of the police force are fully on ground in all parts of the Ekiti State.

    “The Ekiti State Command of the police has no reason, whatsoever, to withdraw policemen and women posted to any part of the state including Ikere-Ekiti,’’ he said.

    Rumours had it that the Command withdrew all officers and men posted to Ikere-Ekiti because of the mayhem unleashed on police formations and other properties in October when hoodlums hijacked the #EndSARS protest.

    Mobayo assured the people of Ekiti State of the Command’s commitment to the protection of lives and properties of the citizens.

    The commissioner also commended the Assessment Committee of the Inspector-General of Police on the EndSARS protest, which visited the state on Nov. 15, for its dedication and professionalism.

    He also commended the committee members for their sacrifices, empathy, and acceptance to embark on the assignment as well as the show of maturity and professionalism throughout the exercise.

    “The Ekiti State police command, on Nov. 15, received the Assessment Committee of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu, which came to properly document the losses suffered by the Force during the #EndSARS protest.

    “The assessment visit is for the purpose of strategic planning, re-construction and re-equipment as well as for future reference.

    “The Committee, headed by CP Abutu Yaro, started its assignment from Ikere Area Command where police facilities were looted and vandalised, and proceeded to Ikere Divisional Police Headquarters which was looted and set ablaze by hoodlums during the protest.

    “The team also visited Afao-Ikere Divisional Police Headquarters that was also looted and set ablaze by the hoodlums masquerading as #EndSARS protesters,’’ Mobayo stated.

    The statement was signed by Mr Sunday Abutu, the Command’s Public Relations Officer.

  • WAEC: Why Ekiti State results delay

    WAEC: Why Ekiti State results delay

    The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) on Thursday wrote to the Ekiti State government to apologise for the delay in the release of the 2020 results of its candidates.

    In the letter, the Council also clarified that the two-day delay in the release of the results on Thursday was not because the state government was indebted to it as was being insinuated in some quarters.

    It said the delay resulted from a technical malfunction.

    In the letter dated Nov.5 and signed by WAEC’s Branch Controller in the state, Alhaji Olajide Hakeem, for the Head of National Office, the Council maintained that the Ekiti Government was not in any way indebted to the council.

    The letter, addressed to the Commissioner for Education, Dr Olabimpe Aderiye, reads: “On behalf of the national office and the entire WAEC, I hereby tender our unreserved apology for the delay that occurred in the release of the Ekiti State public schools’ results.

    “The Council wishes to state clearly that Ekiti State was not in any way indebted to WAEC.

    “However, it should be noted that many candidates from all parts of the country were unable to access their results throughout yesterday (Wednesday) due to the heavy traffic congestion on our side. The results were eventually accessed from 5:45 p.m. on Wednesday.

    “We condemn in its entirety, any attempt by anybody or group making campaign of calumny to achieve any selfish desires on this very sensitive issue.

    “Ekiti State government remains one of our very reliable clients and we cherish the cordial relationship existing between the state and the Council, which we intend to keep.

    “We regret any inconvenience arising from the delay of results of the Ekiti State public schools.

    “Please, accept the warmest assurances of our highest regard.’’

    Anxiety had mounted in parents and candidates in the state over their inability to access their results via the online platform provided by the Council since Monday, thus fuelling the insinuation in some quarters that Ekiti State might be one of the states indebted to WAEC.

    However, strong indications emerged at about noon on Thursday that the Council had released results of candidates who sat for the examination.